We will be departing Taipei this afternoon. In the morning, we decided to explore nearby Zhongshan district. After the random knife and smoke‑grenade attack on December 19, 2025, many locals came to pay their respects at the scene inside Taipei Main Station where part of the incident took place.
The area where people laid flowers and messages of condolence was near the M7 exit of the underground passage. At the site, the mood was quiet and reflective rather than loud or dramatic. Visitors often stood silently, bowed their heads, or left short notes expressing gratitude for the bravery of those who helped others, condolences and prayers for the victims and their families, and messages of peace, resilience, and solidarity from commuters and passersby.
We originally planned to walk through Zhongshan underground shopping street but most of the shops had not opened. As such, we decided to walk outdoor along the upper streets.
Xinzhongshan Linear Park (新中山綠園道) is one of Taipei’s most underrated walkable green spaces. Stretching gently between Taipei Main Station and Shuanglian MRT Station, this linear park carves a peaceful ribbon of grass, trees, and paved paths through the city, offering a refreshing blend of nature, public art, and neighborhood life. Our walk began at Taipei Art Park, a creative oasis tucked within Zhongshan District. Known for its open-air installations, small performance spaces, and peaceful greenery, the park sets a reflective tone for the walk ahead.
Soon, we arrived at Zhongshan station, a major node in Taipei’s metro system and a lively urban crossroads. This junction was another location where the knife incident happened 5 days ago.
We continued our walk in the park. Alongside the path, side streets opened up to small eateries, bakeries, and local shops. Food stalls and café patios spilled onto sidewalks of this linear park.
As we walked and admired all the beautiful artwork along the way, we had actually walked to the next MRT station at Shuanglian (双连). Just a short walk from Shuanglian MRT Station, Shuanglian Market (雙連市場) is a bustling, authentic local market that offers a snapshot of everyday Taipei life. Unlike the tourist-heavy night markets, Shuanglian Market is frequented mainly by locals, giving visitors a more genuine feel of neighborhood commerce.
Located just beside Shuanglian Market is Wenchang Temple (文昌宮), a small but historically significant temple dedicated to Wenchang Dijun, the Chinese deity of culture, literature, and scholars. Visiting in the morning offered us with a glimpse of locals performing rituals or lighting incense, adding life and color to the small temple.
At this point, we decided to turn back to Zhongshan area for lunch.
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